Therapy Assistant LC

Located in N.E. Calgary, the Peter Lougheed Centre (PLC) is an acute care hospital offering both inpatient and outpatient services. The PLC has over 600 inpatient beds, including Medical, Surgical, Pediatrics, Women’s Health and Critical Care. The PLC is the Vascular Centre for Southern Alberta, Southwestern Saskatchewan and Southeastern British Columbia. The Allied Health Department at the PLC is comprised of Rehabilitation, Social Work and Spiritual Care staff. These staff work as vital members of the interdisciplinary team to provide patient and family-centered care throughout the hospital. Under the supervision and direction of the Clinical Leaders and Allied Health Management, the Therapy Assistant is responsible for carrying out individual and group rehabilitation interventions as assigned by physiotherapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists and speech language pathologists. The successful applicant will provide services across Orthopedics, Medicine, and Surgery & Critical Care, on a rotational basis. This position also includes support work for the rehabilitation team, such as ordering supplies, preparing for rehabilitation groups, cleaning equipment, and answering phones. To be successful in this role, you will possess an understanding of how patients and family are at the center of care strategies to build inclusive environments that reflect the needs and supports required for the populations that we serve (ethno-cultural, equity-seeking, racialized, faith-based, LGBTQ2S+, vulnerable, marginalized, persons with disabilities, and persons of all age groups).

As a Therapy Assistant, you will work both individually and as part of an interprofessional team under the assignment, monitoring and evaluation of an audiologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, recreation therapist or speech-language pathologist. You will contribute to effective and efficient rehabilitation services including direct and indirect client care across the health care continuum (healthy living, getting better, living with illness and disability, end of life care) for all ages as well as non-client service provision. This role will require you to work effectively with internal and external partners, and display professionalism and strong ethics in both client centered care and participation in care teams. You will demonstrate evidence of reflective thinking and lifelong learning that enhances individual and team competency. You will have opportunities to use your interpersonal and clinical skills in contributing to quality improvement, program planning and student supervision.

Completion of diploma from an accredited post-secondary rehabilitation Therapy Assistant program or equivalent training may be considered.

Relevant experience in adult acute care within the last 3 years. Ability to assist with client lifts and transfers, positioning, and basic ADL and IADL within the context of therapy program. A high level of physical effort is required related to clinical caseload. Job demands include frequent lifting, pushing/pulling, kneeling, crouching, walking and reaching while carrying loads of varying size and weights. May require longer periods of sitting and/or standing at times. Basic Computer skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to interact with members of the interdisciplinary team, patients and families in a dynamic health care setting. Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. Skilled in problem solving, critical thinking, conflict resolution, self-initiative and brings a creative, patient and sensitive approach to daily work. Excellent organizational and time management skills to efficiently organize and prioritize workload to keep pace in a busy multi-disciplinary patient care environment. Demonstrates behaviours consistent with the values of AHS - Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence, and Safety. Basic Cardiac Life Support - Health Care Provider (BCLS-HCP) certification.

Experience in the following adult acute care areas preferred: Orthopedics, General Medicine, and Critical Care. Experience providing interventions assigned by multiple rehabilitation disciplines (Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Speech Language Pathology) preferred. Understanding of trauma informed care principles.